Circuit board assembly with wire comb

ABSTRACT

An approach for mounting individual wires from multi-wire cables onto circuit boards. A wire comb is mounted adjacent one or more ends of the circuit board to permit a way to space apart individual wires, to hold them in place; and to permit welding or soldering of the wires to the appropriate connections on the circuit board.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/295,441 filed Dec. 7, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereinincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates connecting wires to circuit boards.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, AND OF THE MANNER AND PROCESS OF MAKINGAND USING IT BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention, its objectives and advantages will become moreapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1( a)–1(b) are plan views of a circuit board according toembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1( c) is a top plan view of a VGA connector, corresponding cables,and the wire mount of the present invention;

FIGS. 2( a)–2(b) are plan views of USB and PS/2 cable assemblies andwire mounts according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of FIG. 2( a) or FIG. 2(b);

FIGS. 4( a)–4(f), 5(a)–5(f), 6(a)–6(f) and 7(a)–7(d) are various viewsof wire combs according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8( a) is the top plan of a circuit board according to embodimentsof the present invention, prior to mounting wire combs thereon;

FIG. 8( b) is a perspective view of a top surface of a circuit boardwith a wire comb mounted adjacent each end thereof, according toembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8( c) is a perspective view of a bottom surface of a circuit boardwith a wire comb mounted adjacent each end thereof, according toembodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 9( a)–9(e) provide detailed views of aspects of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 10( a)–10(d) show various stages and views of an overmoldedcircuit board according to embodiments of the present invention.

BACKGROUND

Computer connection cables may include so-called inline circuitry toperform various functions on the signals being transmitted. By “inlinecircuitry” (or “inline circuits”) we mean any electronic circuitry(possibly on a printed circuit board —PCB) that may be incorporated in acomputer cable, regardless of the cable's or circuitry's function. Forexample, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/951,774, entitled “Passivevideo multiplexing method and apparatus,” the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference, describes a so-called Rack InterfacePod (RIP) which is provided for receiving video signals from a servercomputer and providing them to a remote user via a local area network(LAN), preferably an Ethernet LAN. Similarly, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/123,075, titled “Computer interface module,” and filed May6, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference,describes RIPs and related circuitry.

It is generally desirable that inline circuits (and the correspondinginline PCBs on which they are mounted) be small. This allows forso-called “lump in the cable” designs, where the inline circuit isformed integral with the cable, appearing as a bulge or lump in thecable. An example of such a circuit can be seen, e.g., in FIG. 24 ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/123,075, which illustrates a RackInterface Pod (RIP) device having two network connectors located in themain body and integral therewith. In order to achieve a lump/bulge incable effect, inline PCBs are preferably formed by molding anappropriate material over them after the wires have been connected tothe PCBs.

The inventors realized that the size of inline PCBs made theirmanufacture difficult. In particular, the inventors noticed that thesize of the PCBs generally meant that the wire connection locations orcontacts on the PCBs were close together. This closeness of the contactsincreases the risk of wires from one contact touching an adjacentcontact. The inventors further realized that this risk was increased bythe overmolding process used to create the desired inline effect.

When connecting a cable containing twisted pairs to a PCB, it isnecessary to untwist an end portion of the wires. The inventors alsorealized that, especially in the case of twisted pairs, it is desirableto keep the length of the untwisted wires to a minimum. This requirementis made more difficult by small (e.g., inline) PCBs.

Additionally, in the case of inline PCBs, since the wires may, by theirvery nature, be moved about and possibly pulled, there is increased riskof the wires disconnecting from the PCBs.

DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in connection with anumber of exemplary cable systems. The examples given use an inlinecircuit mounted in a known manner on a PCB. Those skilled in the artwill realize that the invention is not limited to the exemplary systemsor circuits shown. The examples describe the use of CAT 5 (Category 5)cables. As is well known, CAT 5 cables consist of four twisted pairs ofcopper wire supporting frequencies up to 100 MHz and speeds up to 1000Mbps. Again it will be clear to those skilled in the art that theinvention is not limited to CAT 5 or any other type or category ofcable.

FIGS. 1( a)–1(b) show top and bottom plan views, respectively, of a PCB100 having electronic circuitry (generally denoted 102) mounted thereonin a known manner. As noted, the function of the circuits 102 should notbe considered to limit the scope of the invention. However, in somepresently preferred embodiments of the invention, the PCB is to beconnected inline in a cable system to be used in a KVM system and thecircuitry 102 performs appropriate KVM functions such those disclosed inU.S. application Ser. No. 09/951,774, incorporated herein by reference.

In order to facilitate external electronic connection to the circuitry102 thereon, the PCB 100 includes a number of electrical contacts 104(also denoted “J3”), 106 (also denoted “J2”) (on a first surface 108thereof) and 110 (also denoted “J1”) (on a second surface 112 thereof).For convenience, the first surface 108 is referred to herein as the“top” surface and the second surface 112 is referred to as the “bottom”surface. In the example shown, reference 104 refers collectively to theeight contacts on the left side of the PCB in FIG. 1( a), reference 106refers collectively to the eight contacts on the right side of the PCBas shown in FIG. 1( a), and reference 110 refers collectively to theeight contacts on the bottom surface of the PCB, as shown in FIGS. 1(b).

FIG. 1( c) shows a plan view of a VGA cable assembly 104, the top planview of a PCB 100 and a cable assembly 116 (e.g., a CAT 5 cable). TheVGA cable assembly 104 includes a plug 118, cable 120 and a pig tail 122that includes individual wires (seven in this example) that have beenspread or fanned out.

The second cable assembly 116, for example, includes a plug 124 (e.g., astandard RJ-45 connector), cable 126 and a pig tail 128 including, inthis case, eight individual wires that have been fanned out. Wire combs130 and 132 are shown mounted adjacent opposite ends of the circuitboard 100, and each comb 130 and 132 holds a respective group ofindividual wires, in this example seven (7) and eight (8), respectively.

Wires in the cable 126, preferably a CAT 5 cable, electronically connectthe circuits 102 on the PCB 100 to the first connector 124, in this casea standard RJ-45 connector. Wires in the second cable 120, a shielded 5cable, electronically connect the circuits 102 via contacts 106 on thePCB 100 to a video connector 118, in this example a VGA connector.

As shown in FIGS. 1( a)–1(c), on the upper or top surface 108 of the PCB100, some or all of the wires from the first cable 126 each connect todifferent ones of the eight contacts 104 and to the connector 124.Similarly, some or all of the wires from the second cable 120 connect tothe contacts 106.

FIGS. 2( a)–2(b) show bottom plan views of the cable assembly shown inFIGS. 1( a)–1(c). FIG. 2( a) shows a USB cable assembly 128 thatincludes a USB connector plug 130, cable 132 and a pig tail 134 of threeindividual wires that are shown being held by a three-position wire comb136 that is itself mounted to the bottom surface 112 of circuit board100. In this exemplary embodiment, wire comb 136 is positioned directlyopposite the location of wire comb 132 in FIG. 1( c).

FIG. 2( b) shows an alternative arrangement for the same end of circuitboard 100. In this example, the circuit board 100 is connected to PS/2keyboard and mouse cable assemblies, 138 and 140, respectively, whichinclude their respective connector plugs 142 and 144, their cables 146and 148. In each cable 146 and 148, the individual wires have beenfanned out into pig tails 150 and 152, respectively, and the wires areshown as being held by wire comb 154 on the bottom surface 112 ofcircuit board PCB 100. Here again, wire comb 154 is located directlyopposite wire comb 132 on the same end of circuit board 100. As shown inFIG. 2( b), on the lower surface 112 of the PCB 100, some or all of thewires from each of the mouse cable assembly 140 and the keyboard cableassembly 114 connect to contacts 122.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of circuit board 100 as described above withreference to the embodiments of FIG. 2( b), with a shielded video cable120, a shielded keyboard cable 146, and a shielded mouse cable 148 beingconnected at one end of circuit board 100, and cable 126 attached to theother end. This view also shows the relative positions of wire combs130, 132 and 154 on circuit board 100. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3,8(a) and 8(b) the braided grounding shield 121 included within cable 120can be connected to a ground connector 131, while the braided shield 143included within cables 146 and 148 can be connected to ground connectors133 and 135, respectively, to conduct ESD impulses to the chassis groundat the PC. An extended ground shield 137 can also be provided on thecircuit board PCB 100 adjacent and around connectors 131, 133 and 135,as shown in FIG. 8( a).

Further, the circuit board includes a plurality of spaced apart ESDspark gaps 141 that can vary in size from about 0.0035 inch to about0.040 inch, and with one spark gap being available for each contact pad106 and they are formed directly on the circuit board PCB 100. Eachrespective spark gap 141 will have a connection path, as at 139,extending to the ground shield 137, and another, as at 151, extendingtoward and in contact with one connector pad where ESD dischargeprotection is required.

The plurality of the spaced apart spark gaps 141 are positioned betweenthe mounting holes 202/204 and 206/208 on the circuit board PCB 100 forwire combs 132 and 134/154, for example. Consequently, the mounting ofwire combs 132 and 136/154 on the circuit board PCB 100 will positionthe flat base 52 of such wire combs so that it overlies the whole row ofspark gaps 141. In fact, the spark gaps extend along the center line ofthe wire combs. Consequently, mounting of wire combs 132 and 136/154will cause the base 52 to directly overlie the plurality of spark gaps.As mounted, base 52 of wire combs 132 and 136/154 will also fit tightlyon the circuit board PCB 100, and in fact base 52 will preferably beflush with the solder mask surrounding the spark gaps 141. Thatrelationship not only forms an effective seal between the surface ofcircuit board PCB 100 and the bottom of the wire combs, but also formssmall chambers at the spark gaps 141 between the surface of the circuitboard PCB 100 and the bottom or base 52 of the wire combs 132 and136/154.

The use of wire combs 132 and 136/154 thereby provides integralprotection of these spark gaps 141, and protects them from the moldingand over molding materials by preventing the such molding material fromfilling the space between the circuit board and the bottom of the wirecombs. As noted previously, each spark gap 141 resides in the surface ofthe circuit board PCB 100 at a point below and underneath wire combs 132and 136/154. The location of the wire combs 132 and 136/154 over sparkgaps 141, and the seal it provides, prevents overflowing material frompassing beneath the wire combs and prevents that material from coveringor encapsulating the spark gaps which would render the spark gapsineffective. Were that to occur, the overflowing material, for examplePE, would alter, by raising, the break down voltage of the spark gap.

The over molding can be accomplished in a two step process beginningwith a low temperature, low pressure polyurethane material, PE. Thatmolding step would be followed using and outer molded cover preferablyformed from a PVC material that will be used under a higher temperatureand a higher pressure. By using wire combs in a flush or tight fittingrelationship with the circuit board PCB 100, and a two stage overmolding process, the molding material will not flow beneath the wirecombs or between the base 52 and the circuit board PCB 100. Thisprovides protection for and the continued effectiveness of spark gaps141. FIG. 8( a) also shows an additional set of spaced apart spark gaps211 at the opposite end of the circuit board PCB 100. These too would beprotected by the presence of a wire comb mounted there over.

In presently preferred embodiments, each wire comb is comprised of amolded resin or plastic, including, for example, a rigid PVC resin,nylon, HDPE, PVC, ABS, PC or other like materials. In presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention, each wire comb is about 18.5 mmlong and about 2.5 mm wide and about 2.5 mm high. Each mounting pin canbe hexagonal in cross-section, although other cross-sectional shapes areincluded, and each pin has a width of about 1.1 mm between the flatsides and a width of about 1.26 mm at the point, and extends about 1.5mm below the bottom surface of base of the wire comb.

FIGS. 4( a)–6(f) show a variety of designs or arrangements for the wirecombs according to embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 4(a)–4(d) show a three (3) slot wire comb 136, FIGS. 5( a)–5(f) show a six(6) slot wire comb 154, and FIGS. 6( a)–6(f) show an eight (8) slot wirecomb 130. FIGS. 4( a)–4(d) show wire comb 136 as being comprised of abase 52, a pair of upstanding, spaced apart walls 54 and 56, andmounting pins 58 depending from opposing ends of the base 52. Wall 54includes three wire openings or slots 54 a–e, and wall 56 includes a setof three openings or slots 56 a–c. The two sets of opening 54 a–c and 56a–c are preferably aligned so that an individual wire's insulatingcoating will be held by each pair of openings, for example 54 a and 56a. However, it should be understood that only one wall, for example 54could be used with its set of openings. This feature is shown in FIG. 4(f), where wall 54 is shown in full line and wall 56 is shown in dottedline, as an indicating that it could be removed. Also, the location ofthe walls 54 and 56, or only one when that embodiment is used, can bepositioned in the center of base 52, on one side or the other, or atsome angle, depending on the location of use, the wire configuration andother similar factors. Further, the present invention encompasses theconcept of having the openings formed as part of the base 52 where a lowprofile wire comb is either preferred or needed.

As shown in FIG. 4( b), opening 54 a could have an upper portion definedby parallel walls 51 and 53, and a circular or rounded base area 55.

It should be understood, however, that the slots or openings 54 a–54 ccould have other shapes including, for example, extending the parallelwall portions down full length of the opening, or the rounded portioncould be modified so as to encompass the and form a top opening into therounded shape. Further the overall cross sectional shape of the openingscould exhibit a v-shaped slot, a u-shaped slot or some other shape sothat the individual wire could be held in a desired position. Suitableshaped openings or grooves could also be formed directly in the baseitself. An example of this is shown in FIG. 4( g), where such wireopenings 250 are formed directly in base 52′.

FIGS. 5( a)–5(f) show an exemplary seven-slot wire comb 154, accordingto embodiments of the present invention. As can be seen from thedrawings, not all the slots are of equal size and not all the slots areequally spaced.

FIGS. 6( a)–6(f) show an exemplary eight slot wire comb 130 with a base32, according to embodiments of the present invention, upstanding walls34 and 36 and respective openings 34 a–h and 36 a–h. Mounting pins 38extend downward from base 32.

FIGS. 7( a)–7(f) show an exemplary six-slot wire comb 154, according toembodiments of the present invention. The comb 154 is comprised of abase 82, walls 84 and 86, which respectively contain openings 84 a–84 fand 86 a–86 f, and mounting pins 88.

FIG. 6( b) is a bottom view of the wire comb 130 and shows, for example,the mounting pins 38, with the left pin being offset by a space (denoted“a”) from the leftmost end. In presently preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, each wire comb 30, 50 and 154, is comprised of amolded resin or plastic, such as a rigid PVC resin. Each wire comb isabout 18.5 mm long and about 2.5 mm wide and about 2.5 mm high. Eachmounting pin can be hexagonal in cross-section, although othercross-sectional shapes are included, and has a width of about 1.1 mmbetween the flat sides and a width of about 1.26 mm at the point, andextends about 1.5 mm below the bottom surface of base 32.

The slots referenced herein are preferably each about 1.5 mm in depthand are spaced apart about 2 mm in the three and six slot versions,while the slots in the eight-slot embodiment are spaced apart about 2mm. The gap between walls (e.g., walls 51 and 53, FIG. 4( b)) can varyfrom about 0.45 mm to about 0.90 mm. The pins 38 have a spacing of about15.5 mm between their center lines, and the distance from the centerline of the wire comb to the center line of the left pin 38 in FIG. 6(b) is about 7 mm, and is about 8.5 mm to the center line of the rightpin.

With the pin placement as shown and described above, it will understoodthat two wire combs can be positioned directly over one another onopposite side of a board, with the offset of the pins permitting one ofthe two combs to be turned 180 degrees.

With reference to FIG. 8( a), four mounting holes 202, 204, 206, and 208are provided on the right end (denoted “A”) of board 100. Two mountingholes 210 and 212 are respectively formed at the opposite end, “B.” Wireconnection or electrical contact pads, shown at 104 and 106,respectively, are also provided on circuit board 100, along with thedesired circuitry (not shown).

FIGS. 8( b) and 8(c) show three wire combs 130 mounted in place on acircuit board 100. FIG. 8( b) shows the top of circuit board 100, and awire comb 30 is mounted adjacent each end “A” and “B.” FIG. 8( c) showsthe bottom of circuit board 100, and another wire comb 30 which ismounted adjacent end “A”. At end “A”, the top-side wire comb 30 willhave its pins 38 mounted within mounting holes 204 and 208, where as thebottom mounted wire comb 30 will have its pins 38 mounted withinmounting holes 202 and 206. The third wire comb 30 is mounted adjacentend “B”, on the top side of board 100, and its mounting pins 38 will fitin mounting holes 110 and 112. It should be understood that additionalsets of mounting holes could be provided at end “B”, or wherever else onboard 100 it might be desired to employ a wire comb, even along thelonger sides or inboard from either or both of the ends.

A method of assembling a cable system according to embodiments of thepresent invention is now described. The appropriate wire combs 132, 134,136 are fixedly inserted into the corresponding holes in the PCB 100.Any suitable adhesive can be used to hold the wire combs in place. Theadhesive can be a viscous adhesive that cures either through chemicalcatalytic means, by a photo cure or by solvent evaporation. Thepreferred adhesive is a thin layer of a low bloom Cyanoacrylate.

To connect the cable assemblies 112, 114 to the PCB 100, the shieldbraid 152 from the cables is installed per FIGS. 3 and 9( a). Preferablythe cable jacket end should be positioned no more than 8 mm from theboard edge. The connection should be soldered and the shield braidshould be trimmed as necessary. Shrink insulation may be used asnecessary. The wires from the cable assemblies 112, 114 are thenpositioned in the wire comb 136 according the required connectivity. Thewires from cables 104, 108 are similarly connected to the appropriatecontacts. Once the various wires are in the appropriate slots of theirrespective wire combs, a fast dry adhesive as noted above, may be usedalong the top of the wire comb to secure the conductors. Preferably 100%shielding is maintained on all connectors with copper foil or a metalshell between the connector shell and the cable's braided shield. In apresently preferred embodiment, for use in a KVM system, the coaxreturns, sync ground, shield and drain wires are stripped and twistedtogether. Trimming of up to 25% of the shield braid strands is allowed.Strand ends must not be allowed to pierce through conductor insulation.FIGS. 9( b)–9(e) provide detailed views of the wires from cable 108 inwire comb 134.

With all wires positioned in wire combs and with of the electricalconnections made, the entire assembly may be overmolded. There arepreferably two overmolds, an inner overmold, as shown in FIGS. 10(a)–10(b), and an outer overmold, as shown in FIGS. 10( c)–10(d).Preferably an LDPE resin is used for the overmolds. The outer overmoldassembly preferably uses a UL rated 94V-0 PVC resin.

FIGS. 10( c)–10(d) show the structure of FIG. 3 following a molding stepwhere a molded outer jacket or covering 290 has been formed so that itextends around and encloses the elements shown above and described inFIG. 3. The molded outer structure is an integral, one piece coveringthat also encloses the ends of cables 120, 148, 146 and 126 (in FIG. 10(c), cables 120, 126 and 132 in FIG. 10( d)). The molded jacket 290 ispreferably comprised of an LDPE resin, and comprises an over-moldedstructure that is molded in place around the overmolded circuit board(FIGS. 10( a)–10(b)) and its connections, with the overmolded circuitboard 192.

In presently preferred implementations, the molded encapsulation ofcircuit board, the wire combs, together with the cable ends preferablydoes not have a flashing that exceeds 4 mm at the cable jacket area.Similarly, the overmolded outer jacket 290 should have minimal pinchedouter walls and minimal effects of heat distortion, and preferably doesnot exceed 6 mm from the inner mold wall.

In some presently preferred embodiments of the present invention, theinterior dimensions of the molded cover 290 can be about 51 mm long,about 23 mm wide, and about 8.6 mm thick, and with a 4 mm flashing wouldbe about 55 mm long. The outer dimensions of cover 290 will be longer,wider and thicker as may be desired, such as, for example, about 92 mmlong, about 31 mm wide and about 14 mm thick.

Thus is described an improved wire mounting approach comprising use of awire comb which, when mounted on a circuit board, will hold individualwires, space them apart a desired amount, hold them firmly in place, andpermit the connecting (e.g., by soldering) of the individual wires toconnections on the circuit board.

In some aspects, the present invention comprises a wire comb mountingstructure that can be fabricated to be mountable on a circuit board,preferably adjacent to the wire contacts thereof. The wire combaccording to embodiments of the present invention can have a variety ofconstructions, not only to accommodate wire placement needs for aparticular circuit board, but also to accommodate the size, type andnumber of individual wires and/or cables being mounted to the circuitboard.

The wire comb according to embodiments of the present invention can beformed to mount a signal individual wire or a plurality of individualwires, for example, three, six, eight or more. It is also within thescope present invention to use either a single wire comb or multiplewire combs, again depending upon the particular circuit board and thenumber of individual wires being mounted.

In some embodiments, a seven-gap wire comb is preferably used to holdseven wires from a VGA plug, whereas a six-gap wire comb is preferablyused to hold three wires from each of a PS/2 mouse and keyboardconnector; and a three gap wire comb is preferably used to hold threewires from a USB connector.

In addition, in other aspects, the present invention contemplates usingwire combs on a variety of areas of a circuit board and on more than oneside of a circuit board. The wire combs can be used on different partsor portions of the same side of a circuit board, as well as on oppositesides of circuit boards. The present invention also contemplates the useof multiple combs, and the use of combs in directly opposing positionson opposite sides of the board.

Wire combs according to embodiments of the present invention can have avariety of sizes, designs and/or arrangements. One embodiment includeseight openings spaced out across the width of the comb. The openings canbe designed to frictionally hold individual wires, or alternativelypermit the insulating cover to snap-fit into an opening. It is alsocontemplated to use an adhesive such as those previously noted above aswell as fast drying adhesives.

In some other aspects, the present invention also contemplates a varietyof openings in terms of location, spacing, size and shapes including aswell single or multiple openings for engaging each wire.

In further aspects, the present invention further comprises encasing thecircuit board and the cable mounted firmly in a molded outer casing orjacket that will be a sufficient size to cover the circuit boardthoroughly forming the board and cables into a unitary molded assembly.

While the present invention has been described in detail and withreference to cable systems for use in KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse)systems. Those skilled in the art will realize that the invention is notlimited to KVM cables or to cables for KVM systems.

Although the drawings show particular wires being connected toparticular contacts, it will be immediately apparent to those skilled inthe art that the wiring in any particular system will depend on thecircuitry and its functions.

While the present invention has been described with respect to inlinePCBs, those skilled in the art will realize and understand that theinvention is not limit to such PCBs and can be used for fixed mountedcircuit boards.

While the present invention has been described in detail, and withreference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art of their various modifications and variations can bemade in the manufacture and practice of the present invention withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. Other embodiments,modifications and changes of the present invention will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, from their consideration of the foregoingspecification and the embodiments set forth, which should be consideredas exemplary only. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the inventionto the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, andall the suitable modifications and equivalents should be considered tobe within the scope of the invention as set forth in the followingclaims.

1. A circuit board assembly comprising: a board having upper and lowersurfaces; opposing ends and side edges; at least one wire combrespectively mounted on each of the opposing ends of said upper surface;a separate wire comb mounted on the bottom surface adjacent one end,wherein each wire comb includes a base, at least one mounting pinextending outwardly from the base, and at least one wire mount areadefined by a shaped opening that receives and holds a portion of a wire.2. The circuit board assembly of claim 1 where each wire comb includes,a plurality of wire supporting slots formed on the base.
 3. The circuitboard assembly of claim 2 wherein each wire comb includes two mountingmembers one of which is located further from one end of the base thanthe other mounting member.
 4. The circuit board assembly of claim 1wherein at least one of the wire combs includes a laterally extendingbase and a plurality of support members extending upwardly from at leasta portion of the base to define a plurality of wire supporting slots. 5.The circuit board assembly of claim 4 wherein the support members aredefined in two, spaced-apart rows extending along the base.
 6. Thecircuit board assembly of claim 4 wherein wire supporting slots arespaced apart along the entire length of the base.
 7. The circuit boardassembly of claim 4 further including wire combs provided at additionalpreselected locations on the board.
 8. The circuit board assembly ofclaim 2 wherein the slots formed directly within the base.
 9. Thecircuit board assembly of claim 1 wherein each wire comb is positionedadjacent electrical contacts provided on the circuit board.
 10. Thecircuit board assembly of claim 1 wherein the wire combs are mountedabove a plurality of spaced apart spark gaps.
 11. The circuit boardassembly of claim 1 wherein each of the wire combs are non-conductive.